WebProNews

Tag: Samsung

  • Google Working to Bring Android Closer to Linux Kernel

    Google Working to Bring Android Closer to Linux Kernel

    Google is working to bring Android closer to the Linux kernel in a move that could significantly speed up development time.

    Android is arguably the biggest Linux-based operating system (OS) in existence, powering billions of devices the world over. Unfortunately, the OS is a far cry from the base Linux kernel, being forked several times before it gets to a user’s device. The first fork occurs when Google takes the Linux kernel to create the base Android kernel, and then again by each chip maker, and yet again by device manufacturers.

    The end result of repeated forking is that it can take a significant amount of time for improvements, features and fixes to make their way from the top all the way to the end user.

    According to Ars Technica, Google is working on an innovative solution to the problem, one that will only require a single fork from the Linux kernel. From that point forward, System on Chip (SoC) venders — Qualcomm, Samsung and others — and device manufactures will be able to use plugins to customize Android, rather than relying on additional kernel forks.

    The end result will be a much shorter path from the original Linux kernel to end user devices. This will allow Google and its Android ecosystem partners to develop and release updates and patches much faster than the current fragmentation allows.

    Fragmentation and delayed update cycles have been a major problem for Android since its inception. Unlike iOS, where the majority of users quickly migrate to the latest version, Android users are far more spread out over multiple versions of the OS. This poses a problem for Google, as well as the many third-party developers. Google’s efforts to address this are good news for developers and users alike.

  • White House Wades In As Chip Crisis Poised to Cost Auto Industry $210 Billion

    White House Wades In As Chip Crisis Poised to Cost Auto Industry $210 Billion

    The White House is discussing the ongoing semiconductor crisis with companies as the auto industry is poised to lose $210 billion in revenue.

    The semiconductor crisis has taken a major toll on the auto industry, with manufacturers around the world being impacted. For example, GM recently announced it would shut down most of its American plants as a result of the shortage, and had previously said it would ship some 2021 trucks without their full complement of chips, leading to 1 MPG less than previous models.

    Companies are taking various measures to ease the shortage. Intel has said it will start producing chips for the auto industry, but warned it would take months before its first chips were produced.

    In the meantime, a report from AlixPartners is warning the crisis will cost auto makers $210 billion in revenue in 2021, exacerbated by a COVID-19 outbreak in Malaysia, a main hub for automotive semiconductor manufacturing.

    “Of course, everyone had hoped that the chip crisis would have abated more by now, but unfortunate events such as the COVID-19 lockdowns in Malaysia and continued problems elsewhere have exacerbated things,” said Mark Wakefield, global co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners. “Also, chips are just one of a multitude of extraordinary disruptions the industry is facing—including everything from resin and steel shortages to labor shortages. There’s no room for error for automakers and suppliers right now; they need to calculate every alternative and make sure they’re undertaking only the best options.”

    At the same time, the White House is engaging with companies in an effort to determine what measures can be taken to ease the crisis. According to TheStreet, executives from Apple, Ford, General Motors, Intel, Microsoft and Samsung were expected to attend a meeting at the White House Thursday to discuss the issues.

    Unfortunately, in the short term, there appears to be no quick fixes or easy answers to the problem.

  • TSMC Set to Raise Prices

    TSMC Set to Raise Prices

    TSMC is preparing to raise prices on its chip production, a move that will have a global impact on the price of electronics.

    TSMC is already the world’s most important semiconductor manufacturer. The company builds chips for Apple, Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, Nvidia and others. As a result of its size and economy of scale, the company has been slower than its smaller rivals to raise prices, but that appears to be changing.

    According to Nikkei Asia, TSMC is preparing its biggest price hike in a decade, driven largely by the company’s commitment to increased investment over the coming years. TSMC has previously promised to spend $100 billion over the next three years, and is looking to pass some of that expense on to its clients.

    According to Nikkei, response to TSMC’s decision has been mixed.

    “We are glad that TSMC eventually adjusted prices so that it could fend off the practice of double-booking, when industry players race to secure enough chip production capacity during a shortage,” K.S. Pua, chairman and CEO of Phison Electronics, told Nikkei.

    “We are still short of supplies and want more chip capacity to support our growth for the second half of 2021,” Pua said.

    Others were less enthusiastic.

    “We are all in a great shock and all of our account managers need to speak to our customers to see if we can renegotiate some of the contracts,” another chip executive told Nikkei. “We haven’t seen TSMC introduce such a broad rate increase in over a decade.”

    Either way, it’s a safe bet that some of the most popular phones, tablets and computers may be at least a little more expensive over the next couple of years.

  • Elon Musk Joins Chorus of Voices Opposed to Nvidia/Arm Deal

    Elon Musk Joins Chorus of Voices Opposed to Nvidia/Arm Deal

    Elon Musk has voiced concern over Nvidia’s upcoming Arm acquisition, joining a growing list of concerned parties.

    Nvidia rocked the semiconductor market when it announced a deal to acquire Arm, the leading British tech company. Arm holds a unique position in the industry, creating and licensing chips designs that its customers then manufacture for their own use.

    Skeptics immediately started voicing concern over a US-based company buying Arm, especially one that would have a vested interest in keeping Arm’s best innovations for itself. Should Nvidia go that route, it would be a major departure for Arm, which has always been the semiconductor version of Switzerland — remaining strictly neutral and selling to everyone and anyone. To date, no amount of reassurance on Nvidia’s part has assuaged those concerns, with UK lawmakers threatening to block the deal.

    According to The Telegraph, via Reuters, Elon Musk has also expressed concern over the prospective merger. In addition, Amazon and Samsung have both come out in opposition to the deal, expressing such to US authorities.

    Given the existing opposition from UK authorities, additional opposition from CEOs and other companies is sure to add additional pressure to what is already a tenuous deal.

  • Samsung Scores Big Win With Google’s Pixel 6

    Samsung may be the big winner with Google’s upcoming Pixel 6, manufacturing both the processor and the modem.

    Google announced the Pixel 6, sporting the company’s Tensor system on a chip (SoC) processors, in early August. Like Apple has done for years, Google designed the Tensor chip in-house to deliver the kind of performance its wants for the new model. It’s a big bet for the search giant, as its Pixel smartphones have never been as popular as those from other companies, or as popular as they should be, given some of the advantages they offer.

    Like Apple, Google is relying on an outside company to manufacture its chips, and Samsung appears to have been tapped for the roll, according to Reuters. In an industry dominated by TSMC, scoring the contract for Google’s flagship smartphone is a major coup for the South Korean company.

    Even more significant, the company will also provide the 5G modem. As one of only three companies that make 5G modems for smartphones, making the modem for the Pixel 6 is a big opportunity for the company, allowing it to show off its latest tech.

    Until recently, Qualcomm’s modems were used in virtually all US smartphones that feature mmWave, the fastest flavor of 5G, due to that company’s technological lead. Samsung’s new modem, however, includes the company’s own, in-house solution. If it performs competitively, it could signal to the industry that there is a viable alternative to Qualcomm.

  • Huawei Planning a Return to the ‘Smartphone Throne’

    Huawei Planning a Return to the ‘Smartphone Throne’

    Huawei is planning a return to the “smartphone throne” after crippling sanctions had a devastating impact on the company’s business.

    Huawei was the company to beat in the smartphone market, eclipsing Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and every other company. Despite its success, Huawei came under scrutiny over its close relationship with the Chinese government. The company was seen as having closer ties than most to the government and intelligence community.

    As a result of the concerns, the US government and many of its alliesbanned the company from participating in their 5G networks. The company’s equipment was banned and, in many cases, even removed from existing networks. The US government even took the step of shutting off Huawei’s access to the chips it needs to build its smartphones. The company ended up selling off its Honor brand, and its remaining business saw significant declines.

    In spite of its setbacks, Huawei’s chairman says the company will return to the “smartphone throne,” according to Reuters.

    “Everyone knows that phone chips need advanced technology in a small size with low power consumption. Huawei can design it, but no one can help us make it: we’re stuck,” said Huawei Chairman Guo Ping.

    “Huawei will continue to exist in the field of mobile phones and with continuous advances in chip production, the smartphone throne will eventually return,” he continued.

  • UK May Block NVIDIA/Arm Deal

    UK May Block NVIDIA/Arm Deal

    The UK may prevent NVIDIA from buying Arm Holdings, over national security concerns.

    Arm is one of the UK’s biggest tech success stories. Arm creates chip designs which it then licenses to other companies for use in their products. Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung and others use the company’s designs. In Apple’s case, its license is so broad that it can customize the designs, creating truly custom silicon.

    NVIDIA made headlines in September 2020 when it announced it had reached a deal to acquire Arm. Almost immediately the deal was met with scrutiny and condemnation by many in the industry. Arm had a reputation of being neutral, selling its designs to any company wanting to license them. Many critics feared NVIDIA would reserve Arm’s greatest inventions for itself, giving it a major advantage over competitors.

    And even bigger issue has come to the fore, and may ultimately sink the deal: national security. As the COVID-19 pandemic showed, relying on semiconductor makers around the world can be a critical flaw when global supply lines are impacted by a major event. In addition, some British lawmakers are concerned about the implications of having Arm under the control of a US company, one that would be at the mercy of the US surveillance apparatus.

    All of these concerns are combining to potentially scuttle the deal, according to Bloomberg. UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden authorized a report on the deal to determine if it was anti-competitive, as well as what national security implications there might be.

    Based on that report, Bloomberg’s sources say UK officials are currently leaning toward rejecting the deal, although nothing final has been decided.

  • LG Poised to Sell Apple iPhones In Its Stores

    LG Poised to Sell Apple iPhones In Its Stores

    After exiting the smartphone market, LG is burying the hatchet with its one-time rival Apple and will sell iPhone in its stores.

    Once one of the top smartphone makers, LG announced it would exit the business by the end of July. The company’s smartphone division had fallen on hard times, eclipsed by Apple, Samsung, Huawei and others.

    According to reports by Herald Economic Daily, via MacRumors, it appears Apple and LG have reached an agreement for LG to sell iPhones in its 400 stores in South Korea.

    The National Mobile Communication Distribution Association originally was opposed to the deal, but it appears LG exiting the smartphone market may activated a clause that allows the deal to proceed.

  • Xiaomi Leapfrogs Apple to Become Number Two Smartphone Vendor

    Xiaomi Leapfrogs Apple to Become Number Two Smartphone Vendor

    Xiaomi has become the world’s number two smartphone maker for the first time ever, dropping Apple to third place.

    Xiaomi is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, with a strong overseas presence. As the smartphone market rebounded from the pandemic, Xiaomi was well-poised to increase its market share.

    According to analysis firm Canalys, Samsung retained the top spot with a 19% share and 15% growth. Apple dropped to third place with a 14% share and 1% growth. Xiaomi, in contrast, had a 17% share but a whopping 83% growth. Oppo and Vivo rounded out the top five.

    “Xiaomi is growing its overseas business rapidly,” said Canalys Research Manager Ben Stanton. “For example, its shipments increased more than 300% in Latin America, 150% Africa and 50% in Western Europe. And as it grows, it evolves. It is now transforming its business model from challenger to incumbent, with initiatives such as channel partner consolidation and more careful management of older stock in the open market.”

    Much of Xiaomi’s success has been because of its lower price point, coming in significantly cheaper than either Samsung or Apple. Nonetheless, the company is clearly gunning to take the top spot from Samsung.

    “It is still largely skewed toward the mass market, however, and compared with Samsung and Apple, its average selling price is around 40% and 75% cheaper respectively,” Stanton continues. “So a major priority for Xiaomi this year is to grow sales of its high-end devices, such as the Mi 11 Ultra. But it will be a tough battle, with Oppo and Vivo sharing the same objective, and both willing to spend big on above-the-line marketing to build their brands in a way that Xiaomi is not. All vendors are fighting hard to secure component supply amid global shortages, but Xiaomi already has its sights set on the next prize: displacing Samsung to become the world’s largest vendor

  • Qualcomm Wants to Buy a Stake in Arm

    Qualcomm Wants to Buy a Stake in Arm

    Qualcomm has expressed interest in buying a stake in chipmaker Arm Holdings, should the NVIDIA deal fall through.

    Arm Holdings designs semiconductors used in mobile devices, computers and servers. Unlike other chipmakers, which design and manufacture their chips, Arm licenses its designs to other companies, including Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung and others, who are responsible for manufacturing them.

    While Arm chips have traditionally dominated the mobile landscape, thanks to their combination of performance, power consumption and battery life, the chips are gaining popularity in desktop devices. Apple is leading the charge, migrating its Mac platform to its custom, Arm-based silicon.

    NVIDIA announced it had entered an agreement to purchase Arm last September, but the deal is currently being investigated by the UK government over national security concerns. As technology, and especially the semiconductor industry, continues to be impacted by geopolitical factors, the UK government is worried about its main chipmaker coming under US control. NVIDIA rivals are also concerned the company will end Arm’s long tradition of vendor neutrality in favor of keeping Arm’s greatest innovations for itself.

    Qualcomm appears ready to pounce, should the NVIDIA deal fall through, according to The Telegraph, via TheStreet.

    “If Arm has an independent future, I think you will find there is a lot of interest from a lot of the companies within the ecosystem, including Qualcomm, to invest in Arm,” Cristiano Amon, Qualcomm’s incoming chief executive, told The Telegraph.

    Needless to say, NVIDIA was dismissive of such ideas, portraying Arm as needing NVIDIA’s help to succeed.

    “To grow and meet the demands of the AI era, Arm needs much more than an IPO,” Nvidia said in a statement. “Arm needs an infusion new technology that it can provide to Arm licensees everywhere, which is why we stepped up and agreed to buy Arm.”

  • Kuo: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Expected in 2023

    Kuo: Apple’s First Foldable iPhone Expected in 2023

    Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has weighed in on Apple’s foldable iPhone plans, saying the company will introduce one in 2023.

    Foldable phones are the next big evolution of modern smartphone design. Foldable designs promise to deliver current screen sizes in smaller packages, or much larger, tablet-size screens in phones that are comparable to current phones when folded.

    Several companies, such as Samsung, have tried to make foldable phones, but have had issues with them being as durable as necessary. Others, like Microsoft, have opted for a dual-screen design, joined with a hinge. It’s unclear what approach Apple will take, although the company is well-known for arriving late to the party with designs that improve on the existing offerings of other companies. Many believe the iPhone maker may be able to leverage its hardware design expertise to deliver an unrivaled foldable experience.

    According to Kuo, via 9to5Mac, Apple is expected to sell 15 to 20 million foldable iPhones in 2023. Kuo believes the phone will have an 8-inch screen.

    At present, the product position of foldable smartphones is mainly to integrate the smartphone and tablet. But we believe that the foldable smartphone is only one of the applications of the foldable design. We predict that foldable devices will blur the product segmentations between smartphones, tablets, and laptops in the future. With its cross-product ecosystems and hardware design advantages, Apple will be the biggest winner in the new foldable device trend.

  • UK Probing NVIDIA/Arm Deal Over National Security Concerns

    UK Probing NVIDIA/Arm Deal Over National Security Concerns

    The UK is probing NVIDIA’s purchase of Arm Holding, citing concerns over national security.

    NVIDIA announced last September it had entered an agreement to purchase Arm. Arm’s chip designs are used by companies around the world, including Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung and more. Almost immediately, critics decried the deal as an effort by NVIDIA to reduce competition, with concerns the company would save Arm’s best work for itself. In contrast, Arm has built its business by being strictly neutral, licensing its designs to anyone that wanted them.

    There have also been major concerns regarding the UK semiconductor industry, with Arm being the most successful example. Given the increasing nationalization of the semiconductor industry, many critics worried about the UK losing its most prominent chipmaker to acquisition by a US firm.

    It appears the UK government shares those concerns, and has filed an “intervention notice” to investigate the deal based on national security concerns, according to Reuters.

    “As a next step and to help me gather the relevant information, the UK’s independent competition authority will now prepare a report on the implications of the transaction, which will help inform any further decisions,” said digital minister Oliver Dowden.

    NVIDIA has downplayed the issues, saying its deal does not pose a threat.

    “We will continue to work closely with the British authorities, as we have done since the announcement of this deal,” said NVIDIA.

  • Google Play Movies & TV App Ending Roku and Smart TV Support

    Google Play Movies & TV App Ending Roku and Smart TV Support

    Google has announced it is ending support for its Play Movies & TV app on Roku and smart TVs by LG, Samsung and Vizio.

    Google has been moving away from its Play Movies & TV app, with the eventual goal being to replace it with Google TV, which the company unveiled in September 2020. In the meantime, the company is steering users toward its YouTube TV streaming service.

    Starting 6/15/2021, the Google Play Movies & TV app will no longer be available on Roku, Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs. The YouTube app will be your new home for movies and shows. Just log in with your Google account in the YouTube app today, you’ll have access to all of your past purchases, and will be able to browse, purchase, and rent new content.

    Google says past purchases will be available in YouTube, Google Play credits can be used in YouTube and Play Family Library purchases can be viewed on YouTube. Watchlists will not make the transition, however.

    As 9to5Google points out, one disadvantage of of this approach is that YouTube TV doesn’t offer the wide range of 4K support as a dedicated app, like Play Movies & TV app.

  • LG May Shut Down Phone Business

    LG May Shut Down Phone Business

    LG Electronics may shutter its phone business amid long-standing rumors it was looking to sell it.

    LG was once a major player in the smartphone market, but its fortunes have taken a major downturn in recent years. The company has lost some $4.5 billion in the last five years, as Samsung, Apple and Huawei have dominated the market.

    Previous rumors suggested LG was looking to exit the smartphone business, considering a sale or downsizing. It now appears LG may be considering even more drastic action, according to Bloomberg.

    The most recent reports indicate that sale negotiations with Germany’s Volkswagen AG and Vietnam’s Vingroup JSC broke down with no deal being reached. As a result, LG is considering simply closing the smartphone business.

    The company may discuss its plans as early as April.

  • Qualcomm Struggles to Meet Android Demand Amid Semiconductor Shortage

    Qualcomm Struggles to Meet Android Demand Amid Semiconductor Shortage

    Qualcomm is the latest to be impacted by the global semiconductor shortage, as the company struggles to meet Android chip demand.

    Android devices run on Arm-based chips, much like Apple’s iPhone and iPad. Qualcomm is one of the leading manufactures of Arm-based chips, with their Snapdragon line widely used across the Android ecosystem.

    The semiconductor shortage has already began impacting various industries, with companies as large as GM being forced to halt production as a result. Now the shortage appears to be impacting Qualcomm as well, according to AppleInsider.

    Another factor impacting demand is Huawei being crippled by sanctions and bans, opening the door for other Android manufacturers to fill the void. Whereas Huawei designed its own chips, like Apple and Samsung, most other Android manufacturers rely on a third-party, such as Qualcomm.

    It remains to be seen when the shortage will let up, but it has become a top priority for the current administration.

  • Want the Best Android Support? Buy Samsung, Not Google

    Want the Best Android Support? Buy Samsung, Not Google

    Google may have created Android, but customers wanting the best Android support should take a look at Samsung.

    Samsung has just announced it is extending its Android support for Galaxy devices, promising a full four years of security updates after release. The company also touted Samsung Knox, its enterprise-grade security solution. Samsung claims to have the most secure embedded security chip, the Secure Element (eSE). The eSE helps protect the contents of the phone from physical attacks, should it be lost or stolen.

    “At Samsung, our number one priority is offering the best and most secure mobile experience to our users, and we’re constantly optimizing the security of our products and services,” said Seungwon Shin, VP & Head of Security Team at Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Mobile devices play such an important role in our lives, it’s only natural that we want to hold onto them longer. That’s why, thanks to the latest technology advancements, we’re committing to securing Galaxy devices for even longer, so that everything that should be kept protected stays protected.”

    It’s hard to image that Google won’t match Samsung’s announcement. If it does, Samsung’s decision will end up benefiting customers of both companies, not just its own.

  • Huawei Will Cut Smartphone Shipments by More Than 60% in 2021

    Huawei Will Cut Smartphone Shipments by More Than 60% in 2021

    Huawei has informed suppliers that it will cut smartphone shipments by at least 60% in 2021.

    The Trump administration banned the Chinese company from participating in US networks, and pressured its allies to do the same. Government and intelligence officials around the world have cited the security risk Huawei poses, given its close ties with Beijing and the Chinese intelligence community. The company has been banned from one country after another, cut off from its smartphone chip suppliers and dropped to the third-place smartphone company, behind Samsung and Apple.

    According to Nikkei, the company is only securing enough components to ship 70 to 80 million smartphones in 2021, down from the 189 million it shipped in 2020.

    The company’s woes even forced it to sell off its Honor brand of budget phones, but it remains hopeful things will turn around for its flagship line.

    The company was pinning its hopes on the Biden administration taking a software stance and lifting the restrictions. So far, however, it appears the new administration has no intention of changing direction, leaving Huawei with little recourse.

  • iPhone 12 Takes a Bite Out of Samsung’s Mobile Business

    iPhone 12 Takes a Bite Out of Samsung’s Mobile Business

    Samsung has reported its quarterly results and, while its overall revenue increased, its mobile business has taken a hit…thanks largely to the iPhone 12.

    Samsung reported a fourth-quarter revenue increase of 2.8%. The company’s results were driven largely by its display and memory business, not surprising given that both likely saw significant increases as a result of the pandemic. In fact, the Display Panel Business saw its highest-ever quarterly earnings.

    Unfortunately for Samsung, its mobile business was less impressive.

    While overall market demand increased QoQ as a result of strong year-end demand and gradual economic recovery, the Mobile Communications Business saw revenue and profits decrease QoQ on intensifying competition and higher marketing expenses. However, the Company maintained a double-digit profit margin by improving the cost structure through measures such as component standardization.

    It’s a safe bet the “intensifying competition” Samsung saw was the release of the iPhone 12, especially since Apple’s iPhone revenue reached an all-time high on iPhone 12 demand.

    Moving forward, Samsung says it will focus on its flagship lines, such as Galaxy S21 series, as well as foldable models, such as the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip.

  • Samsung Looking to Build $10 Billion Chipmaking Factory in Texas

    Samsung Looking to Build $10 Billion Chipmaking Factory in Texas

    Samsung is considering a $10 billion factory in Texas, its most advanced to date in the US.

    Samsung is the largest smartphone maker, as well as the largest memory chip maker, but the company lags behind rival TSMC as a semiconductor maker. While Samsung has been working to catch up for some time, there are a number of current factors that could be driving Samsung’s considerations.

    US officials have shown increased interest in revitalizing the US semiconductor business. The early days of the pandemic illustrated the potential shortcomings of being so reliant on China and overseas companies for critical tech components, as multiple companies and industries were paralyzed when China went into lockdown. There has also been increased concern over the security implications of relying on China.

    As a result, there’s never been a better time to invest in the US semiconductor industry. Adding to the opportunity is Intel’s recent troubles, including its decision to outsource production of some of its chips to TSMC, although Samsung was also part of the negotiations.

    According to Bloomberg the company is locking to establish a factory in Austin, one that will eventually be able to fabricate 3 nanometers processors. If the deal moves forward, construction would begin this year, with manufacturing starting as early as 2023. The project could end up costing more than $10 billion.

  • LG May Exit Smartphone Business

    LG May Exit Smartphone Business

    LG’s CEO has sent out a memo to employees warning the company could exit the smartphone business after suffering significant losses.

    Once a major player in the smartphone market, LG has been eclipsed by Apple, Samsung, Huawei and others. As a result, the company has lost approximately $4.5 billion over the last five years.

    According to The Korea Herald, CEO Kwon Bong-seok sent a message to staff that big changes are coming, including possibly a full exit from the smartphone business.

    “Since the competition in the global market for mobile devices is getting fiercer, it is about time for LG to make a cold judgment and the best choice,” an LG official explained. “The company is considering all possible measures, including sale, withdrawal and downsizing of the smartphone business.”

    The timing is somewhat odd, as the company just teased a rollable smartphone display at CES, leaving its future in doubt.

  • Trump Administration Blocking More Companies From Selling to Huawei

    Trump Administration Blocking More Companies From Selling to Huawei

    The Trump administration is moving to revoke the licenses of companies previously cleared to sell products to Huawei.

    The US has engaged in a coordinated effort to isolate Huawei, citing national security concerns. The company is widely believed to have close ties with the Chinese government and intelligence apparatus. While all Chinese firms are required to cooperate with the government, Huawei’s ties are seen as closer than most.

    US officials have already banned Huawei, and pressured allies to do the same, with many following suit. The US even modified the Entity List and Foreign Direct Product Rule to cut the company off from suppliers, including those in other countries that rely on US technology. This resulted in Huawei losing access to chips from TSMC, Samsung and SK Hynix. In spite of that, some companies were granted licenses that allowed them to continue doing business with Huawei, such as Intel and Qualcomm.

    It appears the administration is preparing to revoke a number of those licenses, as well as deny additional applications, according to Reuters. One of the main companies impacted is Intel, with their license being one of the ones revoked.

    Reuters saw an email by the Semiconductor Industry Association, in which it said the Commerce Department intends “to deny a significant number of license requests for exports to Huawei and a revocation of at least one previously issued license.”

    It remains to be seen if the incoming Biden administration will take the same hard stance against Huawei but, for the time being, this is another major blow to the Chinese firm.